Topic: lavatera (mallow)

[sheila]

Can anyone tell me if Lavatera leaves are poisonous to fish - all mine have died. The pond is situated under the tree so quite a lot of leaf fall went into the pond which was only put there early this year ???

[Palustris]

I cannot see any mention of Lavatera being specifically poisonous to fish. However, any leaves falling into a pond are potentially dangerous. They rot down in the water and deplete the oxygen levels etc. Certainly it would be better to remove the leaves as they fall.